Editing SA80 (section)

===Light Support Weapon===
{{multiple image
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 | image1 = L86A2 LSW.jpg
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 | caption2 = British soldier providing instruction on the L86 to a Polish serviceman during the 2008 Kozacki Step exercises
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The '''L86 Light Support Weapon (LSW)''' is a magazine-fed [[squad automatic weapon]] originally intended to provide fire support at a [[fireteam]] level. The weapon has a heavier, longer {{convert|646|mm|inch}} barrel than the rifle and features a shorter handguard with an integrated bipod protruding from the front.<ref name=modl86>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/23231.aspx |title=Light support weapon |publisher=Army.mod.uk |access-date=2009-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210175443/http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/23231.aspx |archive-date=2015-12-10}}</ref> The stock has a shoulder strap to take the weapon's weight in the prone position and a rear vertical grip for better control of the weapon when firing bursts. The weapon is otherwise identical to the L85 version on which it is based, and the same magazines and sighting systems are used.<ref name=AC71374/> In addition to British Armed Forces use, the LSW was adopted by MOD-sponsored cadet organisations.<ref name="AC71807C">{{cite book|publisher=Ministry of Defence |id=AC71807-C |title =Cadet Training, The L98A2 Cadet GP Rifle (5.56 mm), L86A2 Light Support Weapon and Associated Equipment |year=2014}}</ref>

The increased barrel length, bipod and the optical performance of the SUSAT give the weapon excellent accuracy, increased muzzle velocity and greater effective range. From its inception, the L86 was a target of criticism on much the same basis as the L85.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} The LSW has the additional issue of its inability to deliver sustained automatic fire as it lacks a belt feed. This is common with any light support weapon derived from a rifle, for example the heavy-barrel FN FAL.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2004/jul/31/military.uk |title=Don't Buy British|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=31 July 2004| location=London |first=Max |last=Hastings}}</ref>

While the LSW was supposed to replace the L7A2 GPMG at the section level, the weapon's shortcomings meant that many units reverted to the GPMG, or held onto it if it had not already been replaced. The role of a LSW was ultimately filled by the [[FN Minimi]], known in service as the L110A1-A3 light machine gun, a belt fed weapon with a quick-change barrel in the same way as the GPMG.{{Sfn|Grant|2016|p=35}} Owing to its high level of accuracy in semi-automatic mode,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hogg |first1=Ian |last2=Weeks |first2=John |title=Military Small Arms of the 20th Century|year=1991|publisher=Arms and Armour Press|location=London|isbn=978-1-854-09034-8|page=293}}</ref> the primary use of the L86 shifted to that of a [[designated marksman rifle]] following the introduction of the L110A1.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=23 June 2020|publisher=[[British Army]]|title=The Infantry - Small Arms in the Section|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/current_equipment/the_infantry_small_arms_in_the_section.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227111053/http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/current_equipment/the_infantry_small_arms_in_the_section.htm |archive-date=27 December 2005|quote=With the introduction of the Light Machine Gun (LMG), the LSW will be used for longer range (600-800m), accurate, suppressive fire. It will become the sharpshooter system of the section to out-range any potential threat.}}</ref> It was replaced in this role by the [[L129A1]] Sharpshooter Rifle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Taking-Back-The-Infantry-Half-km-Britains-L129A1-06426/|title=Taking Back The Infantry Half-km: Britain's L129A1|date=8 June 2010 |work=Defense Industry Daily |author=staff}}</ref> The L86 was withdrawn from service in 2019.<ref name=SOLDIERMAG/>